The study and practice of business analytics are growing rapidly for one obvious reason — creation and consumption of data expands by the day. Whether it’s a small manufacturer ironing out an issue in its supply chain, a nonprofit organization deciding on their next hire or a huge multinational corporation analyzing prevailing market winds, each of them will make their decision at least in part with the help of business analytics.
This field, which merges data science and business, poses challenges for those seeking high-level roles. That’s because the two areas require specialized training, and it can be tough to thread the needle between the different fields. Fortunately for students in Kansas, there are a few options for graduate level education in business analytics, which can be helpful in opening up new career options.
SEE ALSO: 20+ Online Masters in Business Analytics Ranking
We wanted to understand which programs in Kansas offer the best balance of educational rigor, cost and flexibility, so we studied all the state’s graduate business programs to determine the best options for students in Kansas. Two of our schools have earned the prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), while one is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Our Selection Criteria
- Reputation: How the university and program is thought of by its peers.
- Credibility: How well the program ranks in major degree rating publications.
- Flexibility: How flexible the program is in terms of online class times, time to complete degree, etc.
- Value: Comparison of the quality of education to cost.
Programs in This Section
#1. Emporia State University
1 Kellogg Circle, Campus Box 4042
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Informatics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Online MBA in Marketing, Online MBA in Information Systems
Program Description:
Emporia State University’s Master of Science in Informatics takes the top spot on our list of Kansas business analytics programs thanks to a low tuition cost and online-optional delivery method. This interdisciplinary degree is led by faculty from several departments, and concentrations available include geoinformatics, political science and quantitative economics. Emporia also offers multiple concentration areas in its online MBA, including marketing and information systems.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE not required; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
- $13,519 (36 credits)
Online?
- Yes (optional)
#2. Newman University
3100 W. McCormick, Wichita, KS 67213
Business Analytics Degree:
- MBA in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- MBA in Leadership, MBA in Health Care Administration
Program Description:
Newman University, a private Catholic institution in Wichita, is home to the second program to make our list, an MBA with a concentration in business analytics. Newman’s MBA is offered entirely online, and students can opt for concentrations in leadership or healthcare administration if business analytics isn’t a good fit.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- HLC
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE not required; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
- $24,732 (36 credits)
Online?
- Yes (optional)
#3. Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Online MBA, MBA in Marketing (online and on-campus), Master of Science in Applied Economics, Online Master of Science in Human Resources
Program Description:
Wichita State University is home to the final program to make the list, a Master of Science in Business Analytics that is affordable and AACSB-accredited but not offered online, which pushes it lower than other options based on the factors we weighed. Students can pursue two tracks — management or data science — and most students can complete their education in about two years.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE not required; English proficiency scores required for international applicants
Tuition
- $11,730 in-state; $25,185 out-of-state (30 credits)
Online?
- No